A modern makeover with vintage touches

35 Schofield St, Grey Lynn. Photo / Ted Baghurst

35 SCHOFIELD ST, GREY LYNN

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SIZE: Land 551sq m, house (approx) 257sq m (including porch and deck)

PRICE INDICATION: Upwards of $2.5 million

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 11-11.30am

ON THE WEB: barfoot.co.nz/575582

SCHOOL ZONES: Grey Lynn School, Ponsonby Intermediate, Auckland Girls’ Grammar and Western Springs College

CONTACT: Matt O’Brien, Barfoot & Thompson, 021 687 866

When Philip Burley opened the July issue of Ponsonby News, he found a reminder of what his house used to look like. In the magazine is a photo of architect Richard Naish's award-winning house nearby, taken from across Grey Lynn Park. In the bottom of the image you can see 35 Schofield in its "before" state, when it was pale green stucco.

It's fair to say the property looks remarkably different now. Philip and his wife Fiona Dwyer bought it from the Catholic Church in April 2014. The house had been rented out for many years, with some alterations made since it was built in the 1920s, but nothing that suited today's family life.

For the past decade, former accountant Philip has renovated character homes in the central suburbs. They've lived here for 18 months, with daughters Amber, nearly 11 and Phoebe, 9. "This was going to be a project, but we fell in love with it," Philip says.

Philip worked with Jones Architects to retain the stucco transitional bungalow's character features, but maximise its potential. The pale green stucco is now a stylish foggy grey colour. The original footprint of the house contains four double bedrooms, the master with an en suite and walk-in wardrobe. There is also a media room, which could double as a home office.

Some character features were immediately apparent at the start of the renovation, such as beautiful original stained glass in the front door, but other details were revealed as work got under way.

"We pulled down false ceilings to discover all the original ceilings throughout," Philip says.

Unfortunately, the plaster had deteriorated over the years. They restored original domes and roses where possible, but had to replace most cornices.

"We also tracked down specialist fibrous cement plasterers, which seems to be a dying craft," Philip says.

Image 1 of 8: 35 Schofield St, Grey Lynn. Photo / Ted Baghurst

The rear of the home is a new extension that makes the most of the view overlooking Grey Lynn Park. Steps down from the original part of the house link with the new area, with American oak flooring providing a sense of continuity.

In the generous open-plan living room is an open gas fire. Sliders open right up to connect the inside with a timber deck. There's plenty of room for a dining table alongside the island-bench kitchen, which has crisp white cabinetry. To the right of the kitchen is a spacious laundry with a back door to a service courtyard.

To the left of the kitchen is the scullery, with a second oven, second sink and garbage disposal unit, wine fridge and room for the microwave.

Outside, glass balustrades allow for an uninterrupted view of the park from the deck. There's an outdoor fireplace and speakers for music to be piped through. Steps lead down to a flat lawn and garden, along with a heated swimming pool. There's also direct access down to the park, which has been handy.

"The girls have discovered Pokemon Go, so we've been racing around."

Philip says there's something for everyone in the park -- whether it's the playground and flying fox for young children or the hoops and skateboard ramp for older kids.

The family also had a fantastic vantage point when the Grey Lynn festival was on.

"We had a great party that day as the main stage was just in front of us," Philip says. "It was a combined festival and house-warming party."

Now the Burley family is moving on to the next project -- a do-up in Ardmore Rd.

"On the ridge there we will be a bit closer to buses for the girls to get to school."